Real Wood Veneer MDF Bath
ETHOS White Gloss / Real Wood Veneer MDF Bath Panels Please read these instructions carefully before attempting to install the panel. This leaflet contains aftercare instructions, which must be made available to the end user. REMEMBER Take care when using electrical appliances near water – the use of a residual current device (RCD) is recommended. Use eye protection when drilling. Check for any hidden pipes or cables. The following is a series of guidelines to aid the installation process of this product. They have been developed in order to cope with the majority of installations. It is possible that due to the type of bath or particular conditions on site that they are not suitable for your installation. Please read the instructions carefully and in case of difficulty a suitably qualified person should be consulted. The manufacturer cannot be held responsible for faults or damage caused as a result of the installation process. Please check the panel before fitting, as damage claims cannot be made after it is installed. LEVELING THE BATH Before fitting the panel ensure the bath is set at the correct height to suit the panel and is level (panel height is 510mm excluding the 5mm lip). If the floor is sloping it may be necessary to cut the bottom of the panel to follow the slope in the floor. If this is the case it is essential the cut faces / exposed MDF are resealed. Please refer to the guidelines below. CUTTING THE PANEL TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS Wherever possible, cutting into the panel should be avoided. This is because the panel is polyurethane finished to give maximum water protection. If the seal is broken, by cutting the panel, it will ultimately weaken the panel’s defence against water, which will result in the panel blowing. If cuts in the panel are essential (to allow for pipe runs etc.) then the following steps must be taken to prevent the panel from blowing: A. To prevent surface splinters, score the section to be cut with a sharp knife before cutting. B. Use a fine tooth, cross cut saw. C. It is essential that all freshly exposed MDF is re‐sealed using a polyurethane based varnish (x4 coats recommended). Failure to re‐seal MDF may result in water penetrating the panel and damaging it. Failure to re‐ seal will also invalidate the product warranty. D. If the cut area is in a location that is likely to be regularly splashed then it should also be sealed with silicone to prevent water seeping onto the cut and re varnished surface. It is possible that some types of bath have obstructions that prevent the panel from sitting flush with the rim of the bath. The result is that the top edge of the panel protrudes from the rim of the bath by as much as 10mm. This is not the fault of the bath panel. It is perfectly acceptable for the panel to be fitted in this way, but should it be visually unacceptable then the only course of action is to remove the obstruction or cut the panel in such a way as to avoid it. Two examples of typical causes are: A) Plastic baths with a steel cradle foot system (see diagram A)
B)
Some baths have an obstruction running the entire length of the bath under the rim. (Usually a chipboard strengthener.) The only course of action is to machine a rebate along the entire length of the panel. This should only be attempted using power tools. The following guidelines should also be followed:
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The rebate is no more than 6mm in depth. The rebate is no more than 50mm in height. The cut area is re‐sealed with a polyurethane based varnish (x 4 coats recommended). The rim of the bath and the top edge of the panel are sealed with silicone sealant to prevent water seeping onto the rebated area.
SUPPORTING THE PANEL IN THE CORRECT POSITION Note: The panels are not intended as a means to support the bath. It is assumed that the bath is installed in a correct and stable manner prior to panel installation. The recommended method of supporting the panel is to use softwood strips that are fixed to the walls at either end of the bath. A complete softwood frame should not be necessary as the panel is stable and rigid enough already. The dimensions of the softwood strips can vary according to the sizes readily available and the amount of space you have under the bath. A section of 19mm x 38mm should be sufficient. Make sure the softwood strips are fastened securely to the walls using at least 2 screws. Depending on the type of installation (Front Panel only, Front and End Panel etc.), there are different ways of fitting your panels, as listed below. Front Panel Only Installations If only a front panel is to be fitted, you simply secure the softwood strips at either end of the bath (see diagram b). If it is necessary to trim the panel to length you must re‐seal the timber as described above.
diagram b
Front and End Panel Installations When fitting a front and end panel it is recommended that the panels be joined together before fitting them to the bath. The panels can be joined using standard plastic jointing blocks or an additional softwood strip that is screwed to the back of the panels. The panels are designed so that the end panel sits behind the front panel. Once the front and end panels are joined together the assembly can be secured at each “loose” end to the softwood strips (see diagram c). Softwood Strip
diagram c
Use either plastic jointing blocks or a strip of softwood on the inside of the panels to join the corners. Check screw lengths to ensure that they don’t protrude through the front of the panel.
Softwood Strip
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SOFTWOOD STRIP POSITIONING AND CORNER POSTS The softwood strips need to be set back from the rim of the bath to allow for the thickness of the panel. You may also need to allow for the thickness of any material that secures the panel to the softwood strips (E.g. Velcro). Panel thickness is 12mm, and you should allow at least 2‐3mm more if using Velcro. SECURING THE PANEL IN PLACE To secure the panel to the softwood strip we recommend using Velcro (or similar). This is secured to the softwood strip and the back edge of the panel and you simply push the panel(s) into place. The Velcro can be plain or adhesive. Plain Velcro can be tacked into position using flat‐headed tacks or nails. The advantage of using Velcro is that you do not need accurate positioning for it to be effective. You can also easily remove the panels should access to pipe‐work be required. Alternative methods of securing the panels are: magnetic catches, spring clips, double‐sided foam tape, screws with dome caps etc. FINAL SEALING OF THE PANEL As a final precaution we would recommend fully sealing the panel into position along all edges using a waterproof mastic silicone sealant. MDF PANELS & PRODUCT AFTERCARE ‐ MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE END USER To protect the gloss painted / real wood veneer surfaces we recommend cleaning with a wax free polish and soft cloth. Do not scrub or scour surfaces. Never use bleach or cleaners containing bleach. If cleaning agents must be used, ensure that they are suitable for gloss painted / real wood veneer MDF products. As with all MDF furniture, this panel should be treated with care. Any furniture will deteriorate through exposure to excessive water from spillage or condensation. Mop up any water splashes after use. It is recommended that all bathrooms are well ventilated with a suitable extractor fan. If the surface finish of the panel is damaged or cut because of the installation process, it is essential that all freshly exposed MDF is re‐sealed using a varnish. Failure to re‐seal MDF may result in water penetrating the panel and damaging it. Failure to re‐seal will also invalidate the product warranty. Brassmill Lane Trading Estate, Bath, BA1 3JF, t: 01225 787 870
NH 25/01/2012
B)
Some baths have an obstruction running the entire length of the bath under the rim. (Usually a chipboard strengthener.) The only course of action is to machine a rebate along the entire length of the panel. This should only be attempted using power tools. The following guidelines should also be followed:
NH 25/01/2012
The rebate is no more than 6mm in depth. The rebate is no more than 50mm in height. The cut area is re‐sealed with a polyurethane based varnish (x 4 coats recommended). The rim of the bath and the top edge of the panel are sealed with silicone sealant to prevent water seeping onto the rebated area.
SUPPORTING THE PANEL IN THE CORRECT POSITION Note: The panels are not intended as a means to support the bath. It is assumed that the bath is installed in a correct and stable manner prior to panel installation. The recommended method of supporting the panel is to use softwood strips that are fixed to the walls at either end of the bath. A complete softwood frame should not be necessary as the panel is stable and rigid enough already. The dimensions of the softwood strips can vary according to the sizes readily available and the amount of space you have under the bath. A section of 19mm x 38mm should be sufficient. Make sure the softwood strips are fastened securely to the walls using at least 2 screws. Depending on the type of installation (Front Panel only, Front and End Panel etc.), there are different ways of fitting your panels, as listed below. Front Panel Only Installations If only a front panel is to be fitted, you simply secure the softwood strips at either end of the bath (see diagram b). If it is necessary to trim the panel to length you must re‐seal the timber as described above.
diagram b
Front and End Panel Installations When fitting a front and end panel it is recommended that the panels be joined together before fitting them to the bath. The panels can be joined using standard plastic jointing blocks or an additional softwood strip that is screwed to the back of the panels. The panels are designed so that the end panel sits behind the front panel. Once the front and end panels are joined together the assembly can be secured at each “loose” end to the softwood strips (see diagram c). Softwood Strip
diagram c
Use either plastic jointing blocks or a strip of softwood on the inside of the panels to join the corners. Check screw lengths to ensure that they don’t protrude through the front of the panel.
Softwood Strip
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SOFTWOOD STRIP POSITIONING AND CORNER POSTS The softwood strips need to be set back from the rim of the bath to allow for the thickness of the panel. You may also need to allow for the thickness of any material that secures the panel to the softwood strips (E.g. Velcro). Panel thickness is 12mm, and you should allow at least 2‐3mm more if using Velcro. SECURING THE PANEL IN PLACE To secure the panel to the softwood strip we recommend using Velcro (or similar). This is secured to the softwood strip and the back edge of the panel and you simply push the panel(s) into place. The Velcro can be plain or adhesive. Plain Velcro can be tacked into position using flat‐headed tacks or nails. The advantage of using Velcro is that you do not need accurate positioning for it to be effective. You can also easily remove the panels should access to pipe‐work be required. Alternative methods of securing the panels are: magnetic catches, spring clips, double‐sided foam tape, screws with dome caps etc. FINAL SEALING OF THE PANEL As a final precaution we would recommend fully sealing the panel into position along all edges using a waterproof mastic silicone sealant. MDF PANELS & PRODUCT AFTERCARE ‐ MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE END USER To protect the gloss painted / real wood veneer surfaces we recommend cleaning with a wax free polish and soft cloth. Do not scrub or scour surfaces. Never use bleach or cleaners containing bleach. If cleaning agents must be used, ensure that they are suitable for gloss painted / real wood veneer MDF products. As with all MDF furniture, this panel should be treated with care. Any furniture will deteriorate through exposure to excessive water from spillage or condensation. Mop up any water splashes after use. It is recommended that all bathrooms are well ventilated with a suitable extractor fan. If the surface finish of the panel is damaged or cut because of the installation process, it is essential that all freshly exposed MDF is re‐sealed using a varnish. Failure to re‐seal MDF may result in water penetrating the panel and damaging it. Failure to re‐seal will also invalidate the product warranty. Brassmill Lane Trading Estate, Bath, BA1 3JF, t: 01225 787 870
NH 25/01/2012
